How this Trial of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict
Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as one of the most deadly – and momentous – dates throughout multiple decades of violence in the region.
Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of that fateful day are visible on the walls and embedded in collective memory.
A public gathering was held on a cold but bright period in the city.
The protest was opposing the practice of internment – holding suspects without trial – which had been implemented after three years of violence.
Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly nationalist population.
One image became particularly prominent.
Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, using a blood-stained white handkerchief while attempting to defend a assembly moving a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.
Journalists documented extensive video on the day.
Historical records contains Fr Daly telling a journalist that troops "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the shooting.
That version of the incident was rejected by the initial investigation.
The initial inquiry determined the Army had been attacked first.
In the peace process, Tony Blair's government set up a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by family members, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.
That year, the report by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the victims had been armed.
The then government leader, the leader, apologised in the House of Commons – stating fatalities were "without justification and unjustifiable."
The police commenced investigate the matter.
An ex-soldier, known as Soldier F, was charged for homicide.
Indictments were filed regarding the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties another victim.
The accused was additionally charged of seeking to harm several people, Joseph Friel, more people, another person, and an unknown person.
Remains a judicial decision preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at risk of attack.
He told the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were possessing firearms.
This assertion was rejected in the concluding document.
Material from the inquiry could not be used immediately as evidence in the criminal process.
During the trial, the accused was screened from view with a blue curtain.
He addressed the court for the first time in the hearing at a proceeding in that month, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were put to him.
Kin of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to the judicial building each day of the proceedings.
John Kelly, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they always knew that attending the case would be painful.
"I remember the events in my memory," he said, as we visited the key areas referenced in the trial – from the location, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where one victim and William McKinney were died.
"It reminds me to my position that day.
"I participated in moving Michael and put him in the medical transport.
"I went through each detail during the evidence.
"Despite having to go through everything – it's still valuable for me."